Terrence Edwards Jr. Craves Another Shot at Kentucky: “The Greatest Atmosphere I’ve Ever Played In”
Louisville guard Terrence Edwards Jr. made headlines leading up to the heated rivalry game against Kentucky, openly declaring that his decision to transfer to Louisville for his final year of eligibility was fueled by one thing: the chance to face the Wildcats. “That’s the game you live for. Some of us came here just to play against Kentucky,” Edwards admitted before the matchup, emphasizing the magnitude of the showdown.
Despite Louisville falling short in an eight-point loss, Edwards left an undeniable impression, both on the court and in his reflections after the game. He backed up his bold statements by delivering a standout performance, scoring 23 points on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting, including a blistering 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. His contributions helped Louisville stay competitive, refusing to let Kentucky run away with the game even as the Cats threatened to extend their lead throughout the contest.
For Edwards, the chance to play on the storied court of Rupp Arena was a career-defining moment. A year removed from competing in the Sun Belt Conference with James Madison, he found himself battling under the bright lights of one of college basketball’s most iconic arenas. “I thought it was great. I wish I could do it again,” Edwards said, marveling at the experience. “That’s the greatest atmosphere I’ve ever played in. Just coming into the game, I was extra excited. Everybody was.”
The significance of the rivalry was not lost on him. Edwards embraced the pressure, from the energy of the crowd to the playful antagonism of Kentucky fans flashing “L’s down” gestures in the team’s hotel. “Wearing Louisville across your chest, you don’t take it for granted,” Edwards explained. “This game is huge. You see the fans, you see the energy, and it makes you want to win even more.”
While the game didn’t go Louisville’s way, Edwards was proud of his team’s resilience. Kentucky pushed its lead to double digits 13 times throughout the game, including a 12-point margin just eight minutes in, but Louisville battled back each time, never allowing the Cats to fully break away. “You just have to keep going,” Edwards said. “Kentucky is a good team, and we knew they’d hit shots. They made seven in a row at one point, but we went to the huddle and reminded ourselves to fight, to keep moving forward.”
Louisville’s Terrence Edwards talks about how fun this rivalry is and the great atmosphere at Rupp today.
Says he’s upset he won’t get to play it in again. pic.twitter.com/X5YQKCkhc8
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) December 15, 2024
His head coach, Pat Kelsey, shared in the sentiment, acknowledging the historic significance of the rivalry. “Walking out there today, the pageantry of Louisville versus Kentucky hit me,” Kelsey said. “The atmosphere was electric, even before the jump ball. It was special to be part of it, but we’ll be reminded about this game every day for the next year, and we’ll be ready when it comes around again.”
As for Edwards, the experience left him wanting more. Despite knowing his eligibility is exhausted, he joked about wishing for another year just to face Kentucky again. “It’s like no other,” he said, his admiration for the rivalry evident. “If I could, I’d fight for one more year just to run it back.”
For Edwards, the game against Kentucky wasn’t just another matchup—it was the pinnacle of his college career, and one he’ll never forget. Whether he’s on the court or in the stands next year, it’s clear he’ll always carry the memories of that night in Rupp Arena.
